2 Coríntios 5
William MacDonald · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 5
William MacDonald observes that "Paul opens the chapter with the assurance that if his earthly house should be destroyed (as a result of the sufferings mentioned in the preceding chapter) he knows he has a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (Ed: And again Paul's hope [absolute certainty] is not some disembodied state but his reception of the eternal glorified body). (Believer's Bible Commentary) Matt Postiff - With regard to 2Co 4:16-18, please note carefully that “things which are not seen” are things presently hidden from man’s eyes. It does not mean they are not material or visible, as if the eternal state is all just a ghostly thing with no tangibility to it. Spiritual and material can go together simultaneously. In fact, they should be working together in our lives right now! The reason I say this is because of the impact of Platonic philosophy upon Christian thought. Plato postulated a metaphysical dualism in which there are two realms: the realm of the forms/ideas which we can perceive with our intellect, and the realm of perception which we can perceive with our physical senses (See What is dualism?). This comes down to us through the Gnostic heresy, which says that the immaterial is good and the material is evil. It is also pertinent to remember from the previous section that the ministry is not to be done for temporal rewards or the honor of men (1 Peter 5:2). These are included among the “seen” things which will pass away. The motivation of the ministry is far more God-centered than that! We hope not for temporal reward, but for the resurrection, for eternal glory and non-temporal things, and for the results of ministry that will cause more and more people to give thanks to God for His mercy. The overall message of 2Co 5:1 is that though our present bodies will, in the end, totally wear out and perish, we have an unseen body awaiting us. (Sermon) For (gar) - "The preposition “for” at the beginning of the verse ties 2Co 5:1 back to 2Co 4:16-18. Here is how: The outward man is on the decline as we saw in 2Co 4:16. In the worst case scenario, so to speak, the outward man does die. But that is OK (“it is not the end of the world”), for we have learned that we are awaiting a far better eternal glory, and the things which we don’t see with human eyes are eternally lasting. So 2Co 5:1 then focuses upon one of the specific eternal blessings that await us, one of the things that is not seen. This is the spiritual, glorified, resurrection body that we will receive. So this verse sets up a contrast between the present body and the future one. The contrast is not a material versus a non-material contrast, but a present versus future contrast" (Postiff) We know that if the earthly (epigeios) tent (skenos) which is our house (oikia) is torn down (kataluo used for "striking down a tent") - Note that Paul uses the plural pronoun we throughout chapter (25x in 15 verses!). This is often called the "editorial we" and is in essence equivalent to first person singular. The good news for us today is we (pun intended) can insert our names/identities with that "we" (in most of Paul's uses). (See Technical Note below on different names) Know is eido which means knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt, showing confidence in the assertion that there is something beyond this perishing body. As to what happens after we die, science has nothing useful to tell us. Death is a mystery to every unbeliever but not to Paul (or us) - he knew (we know!). It is not knowledge he learned in school, etc, but knowledge God's Spirit had revealed to his heart. Divine inspiration/revelation is the only way Paul could have had knowledge of the future state of our bodies. The word "IF" is 3rd class conditional suggesting uncertainty regarding the time of our house being torn down but not the fact that it will happen. In other words the "IF" is not a hypothetical IF but a chronological IF (when the dissolution of our body occurs - at death or rapture). Earthly simply refers to our physical body as it is outfitted for earthly existence. We come from the dust of the earth so both our origin and capabilities are earthly (Ge 2:7, Eccl 3:20, Eccl 12:7). Trapp on we know - “Not we think, or hope only; this is the top-gallant of faith, the triumph of trust; this is, as Latimer calls it, the sweet-meats of the feast of a good conscience. There are other dainty dishes in this feast, but this is the banquet.” Paul was a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3+) and here uses the metaphor of a tent to describe our mortal bodies on earth (skenos like the tabernacle in OT - skene in Acts 7:44+) Just as God had appointed the OT Tabernacle as a temporary place of worship for Israel after departing Egypt and preparing to enter the Promised Land, so too God has give believers a temporary place to worship, our "Holy Tabernacle (temple 1Co 6:19)" in earthly tents, the moment we by grace through faith "left Egyptian" (so to speak) were delivered from bondage to sin, Satan, the evil world system and fear of death, in anticipation of our future glorious resurrection body. Our bodies as a tent gives a great picture for everyone knows that tents are temporary, movable, dwelling places (cf "the things which are seen are temporal" - 2Co 4:18), for a time and a purpose, generally indicating a nomadic or pilgrim lifestyle (Heb 11:9+ cf 1Pe 1:1+, 1Pe 2:11+). To Paul his tent is something that he wears now, but will shortly put off. Like setting up and tearing down a literal tent, our bodies will be "taken down" at the end of our lives. Our life is temporary (and short - Jas 4:14+)! When the purpose is fulfilled, the tent stakes are removed and the body moves on up to "higher ground." In the passage above Peter used the same metaphor of a dwelling (tabernacle, tent) to describe his body and his imminent departure from that dwelling by death. He also uses the metaphor of a house, but one that was soon to be torn down or "demolished" by the "wrecking company" named "Death." Torn down (kataluo) means literally to unloose or "loosen down" (think of pulling up the "tent pegs" of our "earthly tent") which is very appropriate to the tent metaphor and thus means to "take down" (dismantle, detach) our "earthly tent" (death) for it is time to travel on. Torn down does not mean annihilation for 2Co 5:8 clearly teaches absent from the body present with the Lord (Hallelujah)! Paul is saying that our bodies are like tents which will be torn down at the time of our death. At that time the "tent" (the believer's body) goes into the grave, whereas our spirit and soul of go to be with the Lord. The temporary nature of an earthly "tent" also reminds us that we are to be but temporary residents in this short span of time called "life".
2 Coríntios 5
William MacDonald - While his salvation is not dependent on works, his reward in a coming day will be directly proportionate to his faithfulness to the Lord. A believer should always remember that faith is linked with salvation, and works are linked with reward. He is saved by grace through faith, not of works; but once he is saved, he should be ambitious to perform good works (Eph 2:10+), and for so doing he will receive rewards. (Believer's Bible Commentary) The pay may not be that good but you can't beat His retirement plan. So many in the Western World (and yes, even genuine believers) bow to the god "Mammon" (cp Mt 6:24KJV+) and have as their life ambition to achieve worldly riches (albeit transient) rather than the eternal riches found only in a knowledge of and relationship with Christ (Col 2:3+, Mt 6:21+), and will one day (believers = 2Co 5:10+) painfully, regretfully understand the truth of the proverb which says… Do not weary yourself to gain wealth. Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings. Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens. --(Pr 23:4, 5) ("Amen" or "O my!") (He 13:5+) Whether at home (endemeo) or absent (ekdemeo), to be pleasing (euarestos) to Him - Amplified = "Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him]." In 2Cor 5:8 he Paul had just described being absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Home or absent contrasts the present life with the eschatological (future) existence with Christ (ultimately in our new bodies). Paul's point is that whether alive on earth or standing before the Lord, he will seek a life of dedication, service and praise to His great God. In short, his life will be an unbroken anthem of purpose and praise from present to future designed to bring pleasure to the heart of His Lord. (See in depth discussion of how to be pleasing to the Lord). Ray
2 Coríntios 5
William MacDonald - The judgment seat of Christ will reveal our lives of service for Christ exactly as they have been. Not only the amount of our service, but also its quality, and even the very motives that prompted it will be brought into review. Although sins after conversion will have an effect on our service, a believer’s sins, as such, will not be brought into review for judgment at this solemn time. That judgment took place over 1900 years ago, when the Lord Jesus bore our sins in His body on the tree. He fully paid the debt that our sins deserved, and God will never bring those sins into judgment again (John 5:24). The judgment seat of Christ has to do with our service for the Lord. It will not be a matter of whether we are saved or not; that is already an assured fact. But it is a matter of reward and loss at that time. (Believer's Bible Commentary) Warren
2 Coríntios 5
William MacDonald has an interesting comment - Immediately Paul realizes that what he has just said might be misinterpreted as self-praise. He does not want anyone to think that he is indulging in that! And so he adds, we do not commend ourselves again to you. This does not mean that he ever had commended himself to them, but he had been accused of doing so time and again, and he here seeks to disabuse their minds of any such idea. (Believer's Bible Commentary) Later in this same letter Paul addresses the commendation we should all long for and seek explaining that "When people boast about themselves, it doesn't count for much. But when the Lord commends someone, that's different!" (2Co 10:18NLT) But are giving you an occasion (aphorme - opportunity) to be proud (kauchema in a good sense) of us - Murray Harris' paraphrase = "On the contrary, we are affording you with a solid and suitable basis for taking real pride in us and championing our cause." Wuest = "but [are writing these things] as giving you a base of operations from which to glory about us." Paul wanted the Corinthians to be proud (in the right sense) of him. He then goes on to give the purpose for them being proud of him. so that (hina - purpose) you will have an answer for those who take pride (kauchaomai - present tense - continually "self-glory") in appearance (prosopon - EXTERNAL) and not in heart (kardia -INTERNAL) - Murray Harris' paraphrase = "So that you may have ample "ammunition" against our opponents who constantly pride themselves on position and privilege rather than on the state of the heart. If the Corinthians had a right sense of pride in Paul and his ministry, they would be enabled to speak to and refute Paul's adversaries. Pride in appearance and not in heart - Paul denounced his accusers as hypocrites whose external "religiosity" did not match their internal depravity of their heart. They prided themselves on the outward, "showy" things, those things which would impress others, but lacked a genuine heart for God and His glory. It was all "about them". And they undoubtedly knew that the Corinthians like all men look "at the outward appearance" but Paul reminds them that these men had a "heart deficiency", the very place where God looks for integrity and character (1Sa 16:7b). Paul does not state specifically in this passage what the "showy" things were but he does give us some insights later (2Co 11:6, 12:1, 12). William MacDonald adds that Paul "realized that he was being sharply criticized by the false teachers in the presence of the Corinthian saints. He wanted the believers to know how to answer these attacks on him, and so he was giving them this information that they might be able to defend him when he was condemned in their presence. (Believer's Bible Commentary) 2 Corinthians 5:13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. We are beside: 2Co 11:1,16,17 12:6,11 Ac 26:24,25 1Co 4:10, 11, 12, 13 1Th 2:3-11 it is to God: 2Sa 6:21,22 Sober: Ac 26:25 Ro 12:3 for you: 2Co 7:12 Col 1:24 1Th 1:5 2Ti 2:10 2 Corinthians 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries RELATED PASSAGES: Mark 3:21+ (ACCUSATIONS AGAINST JESUS) When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.” Acts 26:25-26+ (ILLUSTRATION OF "BESIDE OURSELVES" AND "SOUND MIND") And while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind (Greek = mania meaning insanity, madness)! Your great learning is driving you mad." But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind (mainomai = to be mad, to rave), most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober (sophrosune) truth." FOR IN DEPTH COMMENTS ON THIS VERSE CLICK 2 Corinthians 5:13 "CRAZY FOR CHRIST!" For if we are beside (existemi) ourselves, it is for God - Undoubtedly Paul was called "crazy Paul" by his adversaries and here he defends his affect and actions. It is for God could mean it is for the glory of God, that whatever he did in ministry was for God. D L Moody was known as "Crazy Moody" because of his zeal to see lost souls come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Lord, may his tribe increase! Amen William MacDonald - It would seem from this verse that the apostle had even been accused of insanity, of fanaticism, of various forms of mental disturbances. He does not deny that he lived in what Denney has called a state of “spiritual tension.” He simply says that if he is beside himself, it is for God. Anything that might seem like insanity to his critics was really his deep-hearted devotion for the Lord. He was consumed with a passion for the things of God. (Believer's Bible Commentary) Joseph Beet on if we are beside (Gone-out-of-our-mind or become mad). These strange words can be accounted for only as being actually spoken by his enemies. The relatives of Christ said (Mk 3:21+) the same of Him. (2 Corinthians 5) if we are of sound mind (sophroneo) it is for you - This most likely describes times when Paul was simply teaching in a calm manner. His goal was to edify and equip the saints at Corinth. In sum, if things I do look insane to some, I am doing them for God. If other things I do look sane and sober minded, I am doing those things for your sake. Paul is showing that there is a place for defending yourself in ministry -- If it is done for God's glory and if it is done for the benefit of the saints.
2 Coríntios 5
William MacDonald - No one who studies the life of the apostle can fail to wonder what made him serve so tirelessly and unselfishly. Here, in one of the greatest sections of all his letters, he gives the answer—the love of Christ. Does the love of Christ here refer to His love for us or to our love for Him? There can be no question that it is His love for us. The only reason that we love at all is because He first loved us. It is His love that compels us, moves us along, as a person is moved along in a crowd of Christmas shoppers. As Paul contemplated the marvelous love which Christ had shown to him, he could not help but be moved along in service for his wonderful Lord. (Believer's Bible Commentary) Stephen Olford writes that "it is not our love to Christ that is in view here, but rather it is the love of Christ working in us—mastering, driving, and compelling us. It is the love of God “poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Ro 5:5). Such compelling love never flags, never falters, never fails. It is “the expulsive power of a new affection (click for sermon).” (Anointed Expository Preaching) May the Mind of Christ, My Savior May the mind of Christ, my Savior, Live in me from day to day, By His love and power controlling All I do and say. Having concluded (krino) this, that one died (apothnesko) for all, therefore all died - Christ died on the Cross for those who believe in Him. He is not speaking of Christ's death for all humanity in this context. While there is not total agreement on this interpretation, I feel that the "all" that have died is those who have died with Christ vicariously. William MacDonald - In dying for all, Jesus acted as our Representative. When He died we all died—in Him. Just as Adam’s sin became the sin of his posterity, so Christ’s death became the death of those who believe on Him (Rom. 5:12–21; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22). (Believer's Bible Commentary)
2 Coríntios 5
William MacDonald - This verse gives us the doctrinal foundation for our reconciliation. How has God made reconciliation possible? How can He receive guilty sinners who come to Him in repentance and faith? The answer is that the Lord Jesus has effectively dealt with the whole problem of our sins, so now we can be reconciled to God. (Believer's Bible Commentary) He made (poieo) Him Who knew (ginosko) no sin (hamartia) to be sin on our behalf - He is the Father and Him is the Beloved Son and made Him is God's great act of amazing grace. Who knew no sin of course is the sinless Lamb of God Christ Jesus. Of course Jesus knew that sin existed but He did not know it experientially by being personally involved with it. This was an absolute requirement for Jesus to qualify to bear the full wrath of God against the sins for others. Paul is referring specifically to the time of Jesus' incarnation, not to His pre-existent state. On our behalf (huper hemon) means in our place (speaks of substitution). If you work backwards in the text, you will notice that the nearest antecedent for "our" is the phrase “ambassadors for Christ” in 2Co 5:20. Some interpret this as Christ was our substitute while others see it as indicating Christ as our representative. If our Lord's bearing our sin for us is not the gospel, I have no gospel to preach. -- C. H. Spurgeon
2 Coríntios 5:17
William MacDonald observes that "In Christ speaks of their spiritual position. When they were saved, God placed them in Christ, “accepted in the beloved.” (Ep 1:6-+) Henceforth, they had His life and nature (2Pe 1:4-+). Henceforth, they would no longer be seen God as children of Adam (1Co 15:22) or as unregenerate men, but He would now see them in all the acceptability of His own Son. The expression in Christ conveys more of intimacy, acceptance, and security than any human mind can understand. (Believer's Bible Commentary) William
2 Coríntios 5:17
William MacDonald adds that What really counts with God is a new creation. He wants to see the transformed life. Findlay writes: The true Christianity is that which turns bad men into good, which transforms the slaves of sin into sons of God. All men are in one of two creations. As born into the world, they are sinful, helpless, and condemned. All their efforts to save themselves, or to assist God in their salvation by good character or good works, are futile, and leave them unchanged. The new creation is headed by the risen Christ, and includes all who have been redeemed from sin and given new life in Him. Because the new creation is all of Christ from start to finish, it excludes any thought of gaining God’s favor through character or works. A life of holiness is produced, not by the observance of ritual, but by yielding to Christ and permitting Him to live His life in the believer. The new creation is not an improvement of or addition to the old, but something entirely different. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson) Salvation is not turning over a new leaf, but receiving a new life (the life of Christ). In another allusion to the association of salvation with creation, Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus that they are God's… workmanship ("poetic" masterpiece = poiema), created (ktizo) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Eph 2:10-see commentary note). NOT THE OLD "I"… THE NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST Bell writes… The best story I’ve heard of being a “New Creation” is of St. Augustine. - In his younger years he had indulged in great sins. After his conversion he met a woman who had been the sharer of his wicked follies. She had approached him winningly and said, to him “Augustine,” but he ran away from her with all speed. She called after him, “Augustine it is I”. He turned around and said “But it is not I. The old Augustine is dead, and I am a new creature in Christ Jesus!” (2corinthians 5) Creature (2937)(ktisis refers to bringing something into existence which has not existed before. The act of causing to exist that which did not exist before, especially God's act of bringing the universe into existence (cp He 11:3-+). It is notable that ktisis always occurs in the New Testament in connection with God’s creative activities (see note below regarding use in 1Pe 2:13-+).
2 Coríntios 5:20-21
William MacDonald - This verse gives us the doctrinal foundation for our reconciliation. How has God made reconciliation possible? How can He receive guilty sinners who come to Him in repentance and faith? The answer is that the Lord Jesus has effectively dealt with the whole problem of our sins, so now we can be reconciled to God. Phillip Hughes states that regarding 2Co 5:21...In these few direct words the Apostle sets forth the gospel of reconciliation in all its mystery and all its wonder. There is no sentence more profound in the whole of Scripture; for this verse embraces the whole ground of the sinner’s reconciliation to God and declares the incontestable reason why he should respond to the ambassadorial entreaty. Indeed, it completes the message with which the Christian ambassador has been entrusted. He - God the Father. Do not miss that this was the Father's plan, the Father's heart to make His sinless Son to be sin on our behalf! Reconciliation is His plan. He initiated it. It flows out of His love (Jn 3:16, Ro 5:8-+, Ro 5:10-+, Eph 2:4, 5-+) Obviously the Father, Son and Spirit were in perfect unity and full agreement with the Crucifixion of Christ.